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Karen O: Biography, Facts and Career

Who is Karen O? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team4 min read✓ Fact-checked
Karen O
Karen_O_Bumbershoot.JPG: Jonathon Kulaas-Crial derivative work: Liquidluck (talk via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Karen Lee Orzolek (born November 22, 1978), known professionally as Karen O, is an American singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist of the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Known for her dynamic performances and distinctive vocals, she is a prominent figure in the 2000s garage rock and post-punk revivals, and in the New York music scene. She is also regarded as a sex symbol and style icon.
Karen O has released five albums with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, whose hit singles include "Maps", "Gold Lion", and "Heads Will Roll". Outside of work with the band, she has contributed to several film and television soundtracks. These include co-writing the soundtrack of Where the Wild Things Are and "The Moon Song" for Her, also performing on both. She released her debut solo album Crush Songs in 2014, and collaborated with Danger Mouse for the album Lux Prima in 2019.
Karen O's accolades include nominations for eight Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, two Critics' Choice Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. In 2023, Rolling Stone included her on its list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time".

Quick facts about Karen O

  • Full name: Karen O
  • Born: 1978-11-22
  • Nationality: United States
  • Known as: Musician
  • Wikidata ID: Q494676

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Karen O?

Karen Lee Orzolek (born November 22, 1978), known professionally as Karen O, is an American singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist of the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

What nationality is Karen O?

Karen O is United States.

When was Karen O born?

Karen O was born on 1978-11-22.

Sources

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